Heroin is a member of a group of drugs called "opioids". Like all the opioids, heroin is a depressant, which slows down activity in messages travelling between the brain and the body.In Australia, Heroin is considered to be one of the most dangerous and destructive drugs due to it's highly addictive nature and potential for overdose.
Heroin is generally injected into the body or the heroin powder is smoked in a process often referred to as "chasing".
In its pure form, Heroin is not harmful to the body, and morphine (which is the drug heroin is derived from) is used medically as a painkiller.
Heroin can appear in a number of different ways, including a fine white powder, off-white granules, or pieces of a brown rock-like substance. Although Heroin in it's pure form is considered safe to use, what makes it harmful are the different substances that the street drug is manufactured with such as hydrochloric acid, and ammonia.
Street names of heroin include "smack", "skag", "dope", "H", "junk", "hammer", and "white dynamite".
People use heroin because it makes them euphoric, relaxed and also relieves pain. People who have been addictive or dependent on heroin will continue to use it because of the severely unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that occur when they stop using.
Long term side effects of the drug are abscesses, infection of the heart lining and valves, liver disease, malnutrition, pneumonia, and pulmonary complications. In the short term heroin can cause constricted pupils, nausea, and respiratory depression which can lead to death.
Without a doubt, the worst side effect of heroin is that it is highly addictive, and can ruin user's social and family life. In many cases, the addiction is so strong that the user resorts to crime to fund their addiction.
The most common way to use heroin is to inject it, which can lead to blood-borne viruses being introduced into the system such as hepatitis C, B and HIV.
Regardless of whether the offence is for Heroin Possession or Trafficking, the court takes these matters very seriously and harsh penalties are often imposed.